Mouth-harmonica.



M. HOHNER.

MOUTH HARMONICA.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20, 1911.

1,009,903. Patented N0v.28, 1911.

' a me 44706 MATTHIAS HOHNER, OF TROSSIGEN, GERMANY.

MOUTH-HARMONICA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 1911.

Application filed June 2 0, 1911. Serial No. 634,246.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHIAS HOHNER, a citizen of the German Empire, residing at Trossigen, WVurttemberg, Germany, have invented a new and Improved Mouth-Harmonica, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a mouth harmonica and more particularly to an improved construction of the cell block or plate intermediate the reed plates. The plate is generally made of wood which is liable to swell, roughen or crack when moistened by the players lips. In this way the lips are apt to be cut, and the instrument itself is liable to lose its smooth working edge so that the proper rendering of tunes is impaired.

By my invention the above objections are obviated, so that the life of the instrument is prolonged and playing upon it is facilitated.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mouth harmonica embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the cell block detached, and Fig. 3 an enlarged detail partly in section of the cell block and strip.

The harmonica is composed as usual of a central cell block or plate 10, flanked by the reed plates 11, which in turn carry the covers 12. Cell block 10 is provided between the reed plates with a plurality of integral partitions 13, separated by cells 14:, said cells forming the wind chambers for actuating the reeds.

Over the partitions 13, there extends a fixed continuous sheet metal strip 15 which is of such a shape as to correspond substantially to the comb-like shape of the cell block. That is to say strip 15 is so undulated as to cover the two sides and the top of each partition and also the bottom of each cell. At the top however, each corrugation extends slightly above the top of the partition encompassed thereby to here form a gap 16 within which the partition is free to swell. The crest of each corrugation is rounded as at 17 to form a smooth working edge, over which the lips of the player may glide freely. Strip 15 is secured to block 10 by indentations 18, which securely attach it to both sides of each of the partitions.

Itwill be seen that by the constructon described, any direct contact between the wooden partitions of the cell block and the players lips is obviated, so that the block is not liable to crack or swell, while the lips are protected against rough working edges. Furthermore the instrument is so armored that its life is prolonged while its appearance is considerably enhanced. As all of the cells remain permanently open at their months they are at all times receptive to the players breath.

I claim:

1. A mouth harmonica provided with a wooden plate having partitions and intervening cells, and with a fixed sheet metal strip extending over the top of the partitions while leaving the mouths of all the cells permanently exposed.

2. A mouth harmonica provided with a Wooden plate having partitions andintervening cells, and with a continuous sheet metal strip extending over the top and sides of the partition and the bottom of the cells.

3. A mouth harmonica provided with a wooden plate having partitions and inter vening cells, and with a sheet metal strip extending over the partitions and having rounded crests that are spaced from said partitions to form intervening gaps.

1. A mouth harmonica provided with a wooden plate having partitions and intervening cells, and with a continuous sheet metal strip extending over the partitions and dented along the sides thereof.

MATTHIAS HOHNER.

Vitnesses:

HERMANN WVmTntioHTnn, KARL THEODORE J ASPER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,

by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

